I've been a passionate hockey fan for my entire life, and I would like to think I know quite a bit about it. This blog will give me a way to share my thoughts on various realms of the hockey world. Included will be posts related to the CHL, NCAA & US junior leagues, European leagues and, of course, the NHL and AHL.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

2010 CHL Import Draft Results & Analysis

Today marked the commencement, and the completion, of the CHL's Import Draft for 2010. I'm a little disappointed that a lot of teams went with "safe" picks instead of gambling for the higher-end players, but at the same time I understand that luring these players to play in North America can be a tricky task.

Anyways, here's a recap of today's selections with a brief chunk of analysis for each. My next post will list my personal top 10 list of players not selected that would be potential grand slams.

WARNING: long read ahead. Enjoy!

#1. Martin Marincin (D, Prince George Cougars - WHL)

I'm a huge fan of this kid ever since the WJC this year. He was a stand-out amongst defencemen, making huge hits and shutting down the other teams' top line as a 17 year old. I was ecstatic to see him get selected in the second round with the 46th overall pick - in all of my mock drafts this year I was able to snag him in the third round or later. By comparison (no matter how unfair), another big Slovakian defenceman made the move to Prince George after being selected #56 in the 1996 NHL draft: Zdeno Chara. Moving to the W, Marincin will only see his stock rise and, while he's not as big or nasty as Chara, I think playing for Prince George will help him in a similar fashion.

#2. Nail Yakupov (RW, Sarnia Sting - OHL)

There were rumours that Sarnia would be bringing in a Russian to play along with recently-signed #1 entry pick Alex Galchenyuk. Well, look who Sarnia drafts - a potential top-10 Russian superstar in the 2012 NHL draft class. Sarnia should be a very dangerous squad if they can get Yakupov to come over and grow with Galchenyuk.

#3. Martin Frk (LW, Halifax Mooseheads - QMJHL)

In my opinion, the best high-end talent available in the import draft. Halifax has had good luck with bringing over top-end Czech prospects (see: Jakub Voracek, Ladislav Nagy) so they may have hit a grand slam with Frk if they can get him to come to Nova Scotia. As a late '93, Frk scored 28 goals and 27 assists for 55 points in 39 Czech U20 games - good for 5th overall in the league. My personal favourite stat for Frk: 184 penalty minutes, a number which led the league by 40. Frk also played a big role for the Czech U18 team, tying for the team lead in points as a 16 year old with 2 goals and 5 assists in 6 games. Hopefully next season Frk makes the move to Halifax and gets the chance to prove himself to the world at the U20 WJCs in December. Frk is going to be a dominant pro player, and at this point he's my pick to go #1 overall in the 2012 NHL draft.

#4. Marek Hrbas (D, Edmonton Oil Kings - WHL)

Hrbas won't have to make the move to North America as he did a solid job in the USHL as a 16/17-year-old. He put up awesome numbers at this year's U17s and, while his size sounds a bit slight, he could prove to be a good offensive defenceman for the Oil Kings.

#5. Tobias Rieder (RW, Kitchener Rangers - OHL)

Awesome pick: Rieder is vastly underrated, in my opinion. Third in scoring on Germany's U20 WJC squad, 6 goals in 5 games as an underager in the U18s (on a deep squad) and good numbers with his German squad. Kitchener turns small guys into players, so this may be a best-case scenario.

#6. Mirko Hoefflin (C, Quebec Remparts - QMJHL)

Hoefflin is a solid, two-way center picked up by the champion Blackhawks in this year's draft. He put up almost 3 points per game playing in the German U18 league, scoring 32 goals to go with 35 assists in 22 games played. Internationally, Hoefflin played a leading role with both WJC teams, tacking on 11 points in 5 games with the U18 team and 6 points in 5 games with the U20 team. I'm not sure he'll come over but it wouldn't be a bad idea to progress his NHL career.

#7. Sven Bartschi (LW, Portland Winter Hawks - WHL)

Nino didn't turn out so bad, huh? So why not go for another Swiss stud? Bartschi dominated the Swiss Jr. League this year with 23 points in 9 games and, as a late '92 birthday, earned a call-up to the Swiss second league. If he makes the move to Portland, Bartschi could form some awesome Swiss chemistry with Nino before he moves on to the pro ranks. I expect the Hawks to make a run at the WHL championship this year, so I'm willing to bet that Bartschi will be in their lineup this fall.

#8. Nicklas Jensen (LW, Oshawa Generals - OHL)

Love this pick. Jensen was the MVP of this year's D1 U18s after scoring 13 goals... in only 5 games. Jensen also went a point-per-game in the D1 U20 WJC and was only two points shy of leading his Danish league team in scoring... as a 16/17 year old. Jensen is a huge sleeper for the '11 draft, and a great figure for Danish hockey pushing forward.

#9. Lukas Cingel (LW, Baie-Comeau Drakkar - QMJHL)

Cingel was the highest ranked forward from this year's Slovakian draft class (CSB final ranking: 43), but he was overlooked. I can't see him being an impact player in the Q and doubt he makes the trip across the pond, so I won't go into much detail here.

#10. Marcel Noebels (F, Seattle Thunderbirds - WHL)

The third German taken in the top 10, Noebels was second in D1 U18 scoring with 19 points in 5 games. Including international games, the big forward played a total of 63 games last season - that's a lot of hockey, especially for a player playing in the German ranks. I don't see him making the jump this year, but maybe next year.

#11. Petr Beranek (LW, Barrie Colts - OHL)

A Czech player who played in the Finnish system last year: 23 points in 22 U18 games, but only 6 in 13 U20 games. Is he a project? Barrie traded to get him, so he must have some fit into their plans - whether now or later.

#12. Janos Hari (LW, Montreal Juniors - QMJHL)

I heard rumours of Hari going to an OHL team, so I'm not surprised to see him going this high. Again, I have to say it - I love this pick. I'm surprised that, given the "new NHL" and the importance of offence, no one took Hari in the late rounds of this year's draft. He's listed at 5'9" and 160 lbs., which I understand can scare teams away, but he absolutely lit up the Swedish U18 leagues: 21GP-35G-29A-64P in the J18 Elit league + 17GP-21G-18A-39P in the J18 Allsvenskan = 103P in 38GP with Swedish U18 teams. I like the obscure nations, so seeing a Hungarian make his way to the CHL to earn his keep would be an awesome story in my books.

#13. Marek Tvrdon (LW, Vancouver Giants - WHL)

Tvrdon has good size, good skill and the Giants have a history with Slovakians so this could be another great fit. He racked up 56 points and 90 PIM in 45 games in the Slovakian U20 league as a 17 year old, and 83 points and 113 PIM the year before as a 16 year old in the U18 league. He should be able to tough out the W just fine, so it's just a matter of coming over.

#14. Mika Partanen (LW, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors - OHL)

I don't know much about him, but he put up a point per game in the Finnish U20 league as a late '92. Mississauga's hosting the Memorial Cup this year, so they must either see him as a fit for their run or else they may see him as a part of their future.

#15. Anton Zlobin (RW, Shawinigan Cataractes - QMJHL)

Zlobin played with Alexander Khokhlachev and Mikhail Grigorenko on the top line for Russia's U17 team this year, racking up 2 goals and 8 assists in 10 games. He's an excellent skater who plays a good two-way game as he's willing to block shots and provides offence on the PK.

#16. Nikita Nesterov (D, Tri-City Americans - WHL)

Nesterov is on the smaller side for W defencemen, but was good enough to crack Russia's U18 team as a '93. I'm thinking he stays in Russia to develop.

#17. Maxim Kitsyn (LW, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors - OHL)

Potential home run pick. I can't see the Majors snatching Kitsyn over from the KHL, but he would definitely bring an immense offensive dynamic to a team hosting the 2011 Memorial Cup. Kitsyn was drafted by LA in the 6th round of this year's NHL draft, and I think they should be grateful as, in my opinion, he would have been selected in the top 60 had it not been for that "Russian factor".

#18. Matus Matis (RW, Chicoutimi Sagueneens - QMJHL)

Love this guy's name. Drafted out of Slovakia but played the '09-'10 season in the Greater Metro Hockey League for the Bradford Rattlers, where he put up 45 points in 41 games. As a 17 year old he finished the season sixth on the team in scoring which is full of 19 and 20 year olds. Take it for what you will, but the fact he's already playing in North America makes me think he's going to play in the Q.

#19. Kristians Pelss (LW, Edmonton Oil Kings - WHL)

The Latvian was a surprise pick during the recent NHL draft, and I have a feeling Edmonton's NHL team played a hand in this pick so they could scout him in their backyard. His numbers aren't jaw-dropping but he has decent size and the WHL would be good for his development.

#20. Vladislav Namestnikov (C, London Knights - OHL)

Another highly-ranked Russian for the '11 NHL draft, Namestnikov was named as a "Top 3 Player on Team" for this year's Russian U18 squad as a 17-year-old. He racked up a bunch of points in the second Russian league, but I can't see him coming over to play in the OHL, rather taking the KHL route. If he does come over though, London fans will rejoice. Mark my words.

#21. Igor Levitsky (LW, Gatineau Olympiques - QMJHL)

No international play to account for and his stats aren't very impressive, so I have to wonder what won Gatineau over. A long-term prospect, perhaps?

#22. Bernhard Keil (F, Kamloops Blazer - WHL)

Keil led his German U18 team with 76 points and 119 PIM in 34 games, and had a very solid D1 U18 tournament. He is signed to play in the DEL for next season, so I don't see him making the trip to North America soon but maybe in a couple years.

#23. Alexander Khokhlachev (C, Windsor Spitfires - OHL)

A superb talent out of Russia selected by an organization used to having superb talent. Khokhlachev is one of the youngest prospects available in the '11 draft (born a week out of the '12 class), and was easily Russia's best player in this year's U17 tournament where he made the tournament all-star team. Again, I doubt he'll come over to North America but, with the way they churn out top-end prospect, Windsor would be an exciting destination.

#24. Tomas Filippi (F, Quebec Remparts - QMJHL)

Filippi has solid size and posted decent numbers in the Czech U20 league, but was passed over in this year's NHL draft. I don't see him being a legitimate NHL prospect, but could prove useful for the Remparts.

#25. Andreas Stene (F, Kelowna Rockets - WHL)

Very interesting pick. Stene is the first '91 player drafted, but doesn't seem to have much going for him offensively, scoring only 6 points in 35 games with his Norwegian league team. He does have very good size though at 6'3", 200lbs. so perhaps he's a depth pick-up.

#26. Jonathan Johansson (C, Brampton Battalion - OHL)

Surprisingly was not picked in this year's NHL draft, but Johansson follows up after Stene as another '91. Went a point per game in the SuperElit U20 league in Sweden and is known as a solid two-way player with good size. It looks like he's going to play with the Battalion this year in order to improve his NHL draft stock, and he should provide a boost to Brampton's top-nine forwards.

#27. Maxim Kazakov (RW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies - QMJHL)

Another Russian picked by a Q team, Kazakov is off-the-radar playing with Ural U17 in his home country.

#28. Michal Hlinka (C, Moose Jaw Warriors - WHL)

Hlinka has good size and put up 41 points in 32 games in the Slovakia U18 league. From what I dug up, he was third on his team in scoring, mind you I didn't track down a complete stat sheet. Cool tidbit of info: his name is Slovakian and he's come up through the Slovakian hockey system but eliteprospects.com has his nationality as Russian. Yes, I'm a dork.

#29. Timofei Tankeev (F, Erie Otters - OHL)

Now here's an interesting pick: I had no idea who this guy was, seeing as he played Jr. B hockey in the US for the St. Louis Jr. Blues of the CSHL, but he still qualifies for the import draft as he's got Russian citizenship. Tankeev finished tied for third on his team, full of players born in '90 to '92, in points as a '93-born. Seeing as he's so committed to playing in North America, I wouldn't be surprised to see him suit up for the Otters.

#30. Vitalijs Hvorostinins (RW, Val-d'Or Foreurs - QMJHL)

I don't see him as a legitimate prospect as he didn't put up a point per game in the Latvian league - then again, he made the jump just fine from the U18 league. Prove me wrong, kid.

#31. Richard Nedomlel (D, Swift Current Broncos - WHL)

A huge unknown for me: I was able to dig up that he played for Slavia Praha's "St.dorost". I'm guessing it was U18 hockey, but would like to know more about this guy as he has good size!

#32. Andrei Pedan (D, Guelph Storm - OHL)

Another Russian out of relative obscurity, but also out of the Dynamo program which is always a good sign. Very solid frame at 6'3", 190 lbs. as a '93 birth-date.

#33. David Honzik (G, Victoriaville Tigres - QMJHL)

The first goalie taken, Honzik split time as the Czech's starting goalie during this year's U17s. Has good size as a goalie at 6'3", 194 lbs. Other than that, not much pedigree.

#34. Dave Sutter (D, Seattle Thunderbirds - WHL)

Definitely not my pick of top Swiss defenceman available but Sutter has good size from the back-end at 6'4" and 194lbs. He has some decent offensive upside for the W but should be more of a two-way, defensive type if he chooses to play there.

#35. Lino Martschini (RW, Peterborough Petes - OHL)

Awesome pick, but I can't see him playing in the OHL as he's 5'5" and 130 lbs. soaking wet. The talent's definitely there though as he finished 5th on the Swiss U18 team in scoring and put up 27 points in 17 Swiss Elite Jr. A games. More importantly, he scored 7 goals and 2 assists in 7 playoff games.

#36. Raman Hrabarenka (D, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles - QMJHL)

Another pick from the US, but this time it's from the EJHL where Cape Breton grabs the first Belarusian player of the import draft. He was passed over in the NHL draft even though he was ranked as the #100 NA skater in CSB's final rankings. Good size, and my guess is he's a player willing to come up north to play.

#37. Casper Carning (LW, Vancouver Giants - WHL)

A '91 who put up good numbers in the Swedish U18 leagues as a 16 year old but never really seemed put it together after that. Carning played most of the season in the Swedish Allsvenskan league for Borås where he put up 8 points in 26 games. I can't see him leaving Sweden at this point but you never know.

#38. Egor Omelyanenko (F, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds - OHL)

Some of the lesser known Russians being taken are throwing me a curve-ball. All I can dig up on Omelyanenko is that he made the U17 team this past year logging one assist in 6 games.

#39. David Bajanik (D, Baie-Comeau Drakkar - QMJHL)

Decent size but can't track down any numbers playing for Slovakia '93. Apparently there was talk of him being drafted by a Q team though so maybe he's committed to coming over to play in North America.

#40. Sebastian Owuya (D, Medicine Hat Tigers - WHL)

What I thought was a wildcard pick by the Thrashers in the '10 NHL draft, Owuya seems to have all of the tools to be an effective professional defenceman. Good size at 6'3", 201 lbs. and racked up 116 PIM in the SuperElit league this season. He even played 11 games with Timrå in the Elitserien but it looks as though he's pegged to stay in the U20 league for '10/'11 - unless he moves to NA. Good value pick by the Tigers as Owuya could be an awesome WHL defenceman.

#41. Rickard Rakell (RW, Plymouth Whalers - OHL)

Played most of the season for AIK's U18 team in Sweden where he scored 41 points in 30 games. He also represented Sweden internationally, posting solid numbers for the U17 team and pitching in from a lesser role on the U18 team.

#42. Andrey Makarov (G, Lewiston MAINEacs - QMJHL)

Only the second goalie taken in the import draft, Makarov was Russia's starting goalie in the U17 tournament but was a back-up for Ladia Togliatti of the MHL - even though his numbers were better than the starter's'.

#43. Mark Mieritz (RW, Brandon Wheat Kings - WHL)

A '91 born winger who has come up through the Frölunda system (like Carning) but put up modest numbers. Went a point per game in the D1 WJCs, but if he plays for Brandon it would be in nothing more than a depth role.

#44. Robert Farmer (LW, Ottawa 67s - OHL)

This is a cool pick just because I like the underdogs. Farmer's a '91 who played most of the '09-'10 season in the EIHL, Great Britain's top league. Farmer was the leading goal scorer for the British WJC D2 team. I can't see this pick amounting to anything, as none of the EIHL's top 50 scoring leaders from last season ring a bell, but, again, it would be a good story.

#45. Mario Kurali (D, Acadie-Bathurst Titans - QMJHL)

Kurali looks like a defenceman with upside in terms of the Q: 6 goals and 19 points in 36 games as an 18 year old in the Czech U20 league.

#46. Richard Blidstrand (D, Regina Pats - WHL)

A good-sized defenceman from Sweden who has some solid upside, as proven by his selection in the 7th round of the '10 draft. He won't put up numbers but would be a solid addition to the Pats blueline in a shut-down, stay-at-home role.

#47. Andrei Kuchin (F, Sudbury Wolves - OHL)

Now this is what I like to see: a possible home-run pick. Kuchin had a lot of hype heading into the '09 draft but alleged attitude problems combined with a rather lackluster performance led to him free-falling out of the draft. In hopes of boosting his NHL draft stock for '10, Kuchin jumped ship to the USHL where he had a good North American debut, posting a point-per-game. He led a rather weak Chicago Steel team in points by 17 (though the second place guy played 17 less games) and played in the USHL All-Star Game as a rookie; however, he once again was looked over. If he's serious about a NHL career, he should give Sudbury serious consideration as he will get the chance to play shotgun with John McFarland.

#49. Marek Kalus (F, Spokane Chiefs - WHL)

Kalus played a depth role for the Czechs at the U17 tournament this year and has a decent frame for WHL hockey. Spokane normally makes good use of their imports so he may be a player yet.

#50. Dario Trutmann (D, Plymouth Whalers - OHL)

Excellent pick at this stage of the import draft. Trutmann was born a day too late for the '10 draft, otherwise I bet he would've been a solid mid-round pick after logging 8 goals and 23 points in 28 games for Zug's U20 team. At this year's U18 tournament, Trutmann tied for the Swiss team lead in points with 5 assists in 6 games. I have no idea if he wants to play in North America, but he would definitely beef up an already beasty blueline featuring Beau Schmitz, Austin Levi, and possibly Michal Jordan as an overager.

#51. Lars Lundin (D, Drummondville Voltigeurs - QMJHL)

Another defenceman from Sweden, Lundin doesn't seem to have much upside but could be a solid contributor for the Volts if he leaves his native land.

#52. Jesse Huhtala (F, Everett Silvertips - WHL)

Over a point per game in Finland's U18 league, but I can't see him playing W hockey as he's currently set to play next season in the U20 league.

#53. Igor Bobkov (G, London Knights - OHL)

A very interesting pick by the Knights, who don't seem to lose out on many prospects. IMO, if they can manage to get him over to play for them this year he would be one of the better OHL goalies around, and I'm sure Anaheim would love seeing him come over to play for London.

#55. Nikita Kardashev (D, Tri-City Americans - WHL)

Playing in Belarus's junior leagues isn't necessarily a way to win scouts over, so Tri-City must have seen something in the 6'1" defenceman at the U18s.

#56. Michal Cajkovsky (D, Kingston Frontenacs - OHL)

I thought a team might roll the dice on this Slovakian defenceman in this year's NHL draft after posting 17 points and 97 PIM in 28 games in the Slovakian U20 league and managing to crack the Extraliga squad for 17 games. Cajkovsky is a right-hand shot from the point and has excellent size at 6'3", 198 lbs. I can't see Kingston wooing him over to the OHL but he would add to an already massive blueline with the Gudbransons (Erik and little brother Alex) and giant Taylor Doherty.

#57. Andrej Stastny (C, Saskatoon Blades - WHL)

Stastny's a huge center who finished second on Team Slovakia U20 scoring in the Slovakian Extraliga. He would be a very nice addition to the Blades, but I think he's already signed on to play with HK Dukla Trencin.

#58. Richards Berzins (D, Owen Sound Attack - OHL)

Awesome size and some great stats in the Latvian U18 league. Then again, it's the Latvian U18 league. Perhaps Owen Sound has dug up a gem like Peterborough did with Arturs Kulda.

#59. Patrik Parkkonen (D, Medicine Hat Tigers - WHL)

Parkkonen put up some decent numbers in Finland's junior leagues this year but he's too tiny to make the jump to WHL hockey this year. Maybe in a year or two after playing [hopefully] more minutes and growing a couple inches.

#60. Dmitrij Jaskin (RW, Calgary Hitmen - WHL)

By no means is Jaskin a stand-out prospect, in my opinion; however, he was this year's 1st overall pick in the KHL. I'm guessing that, with his Russian citizenship, he plays in the Russian system in his development.

#61. Matej Stransky (RW, Saskatoon Blades - WHL)

I'm doubting he's ready for the show as I can't dig up any information on him, but he's got a good frame at 6'2", 190 lbs.

#62. Nicolas Latta (C, Sarnia Sting - OHL)

Latta is a late '93 birthday, so he's not eligible until the 2012 NHL Entry Draft - which I'm sure is just fine for Sarnia. Latta blew away his teammates as the team's scoring leader with 31 goals and 31 assists in 34 German U18 games: the next closest teammate had 23 less points in two more games played. He's definitely worth keeping an eye on if he comes over to play in the O.

#64. Gal Koren (C, Kelowna Rockets - WHL)

The third player drafted from Mannheim's DNL team, Koren is a Slovenian player who put up 41 points and 97 PIM in 32 games played. More notably, Koren played on Slovenia's top line at the D2 WJCs which absolutely dominated the tournament: each of the forwards scored 23 points in 5 games.

#65. Vojtek Butor (C, Belleville Bulls - OHL)

Butor accumulated some solid numbers with Kladno's U18 team; however, it seems as though he wasn't ready to do the same at the U20 level scoring only 7 points in 16 games. Butor also played a depth role with the Czech U17 team this year. While the Import Draft page has Butor listed at 170 lbs., eliteprospects.com has him at 139 lbs. which is incredibly/disgustingly skinny for someone who is 6'3"!

#67. Alexander Kuvaev (F, Lethbridge Hurricanes - WHL)

A big forward who played a depth role for Vityazi Chekhov of the MHL, Kuvaev played a depth role for the Russian U17 squad where he scored a goal and an assist in 6 games. My bet is that he stays in Russia to develop.

#72. Artem Sergeev (D, Val-d'Or Foreurs - QMJHL)

A good-sized defenceman at 6'2" and 205 lbs., Sergeev has come up through the Chicago Young Americans system in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League. This season he scored 9 goals to go with 29 assists for 38 points in 35 games - good for third on the team, with fellow Russian Alex Galchenyuk leading the way. I'm not sure that the Q is as good of a fit for Sergeev as the OHL would have been, but I guess only time will tell.

#74. Markus Pock (LW, Sudbury Wolves - OHL)

Another high-reward pick by the Wolves, Pock has excellent size and plays a solid two-way game. Markus, the younger brother of former NHLer Thomas, played 30 games for Klagenfurter AC in the Austrian league where he scored 2 goals and an assist. Rumours from February had Pock coming to North America for the '10-'11 season, which makes perfect sense as there's not much for him to prove in the Austrian league, where his ice time would suffer. If he comes to Sudbury, the Wolves should be able to give him plenty of ice time and the chance to show his stuff to NHL scouts.

#77. Milan Doudera (D, Niagara Ice Dogs - OHL)

Doudera looks to be an offensive-minded defenceman out of Kladno's U20 team, where he ended up with 13 points in 33 games. Doudera did play for the Czech's U17 team this season; however, I can't imagine him coming to play for the Dogs anytime soon.

#83. Dennis Saikkonen (G, Brampton Battalion - OHL)

The Swiss & Swedish goalie is quite small at 6'0" and 150 lbs. and his U18 numbers don't exactly make him seem like a great pick here; however, he was Bern's starter in Switzerland's Junior A league so there is potential for Saikkonen to develop into a legitimate goalie prospect.

#91. Juraj Roznik (RW, Swift Current Broncos - WHL)

Roznik is a hulking winger who put up modest numbers this season for HK Dulka Trencin in Slovakia's U20 league and also played a depth role for Slovakia at this year's U18 tournament. Typically, I wouldn't think much of him as a prospect but big Czech players have proven their worth in the W over the past few years so I'll give him a chance before making my judgment.

#92. Matej Machovsky (G, Guelph Storm - OHL)

Machovsky played 31 games for HC Slaven Opava in the Czech U20 league where he posted a 3.91 GAA and .891 SV%. He was the Czech team's back-up goalie at the U17s, where he seemed to get lit up with a 4.96 GAA and .873 SV%. I'm going to guess he doesn't make it, but it's a better pick than passing like most of the other teams did at this stage.

#99. Alexander Nikulnikov (LW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies - QMJHL)

Nikulnikov was the last skater chosen in the import draft. I can't seem to dig anything up on him, but he is listed at 5'11" and 143 lbs. so his size worries me. As a '93, I think an upgrade in competition moving to the Q would be good for him, where he could hopefully put on some weight.

#120. Juraj Holly (G, Calgary Hitmen - WHL)

The final selection of the draft was Slovakian goaltender Juraj Holly. Holly has good size at 6'4", 187 lbs. and put up some good numbers in the Czech U20 league for Chomutov: a 2.84 GAA and .913 SV% in 33 games. Holly, however, did get lit up at the U18 tournament this year posting a 5.75 GAA and .854 SV% in 5 games.